The Cardiff-based Royal Mint, which is responsible for striking the nation’s coins, played down the furore.

A spokesman said: “We have tight quality controls in place. However, variances will always occur in a small number of coins, particularly in the striking process, due to the high volumes and speed of production.”

12 sides, two metals

THE new £1 coin was called the world’s most secure due to a series of safety features that make it difficult to fake.

Made by the Royal Mint, it has 12 sides to give it a distinctive shape and is made out of two metals. It also has a small hologram on the Queen’s head side.